Image Credit: Heybike.
Generally speaking, when someone introduces you to a "Villain," you're supposed to run the other way. Or at least check if they have a mustache they are twirling suspiciously. But when the "Villain" in question is a two-wheeled electric dirt bike that costs less than many people's monthly coffee budget, I'm happy to stick around and ask questions.
If you know the Heybike name, you probably associate them with sensible, fat-tire cruisers or those friendly commuter e-bikes you see flying around the city delivering takeout. They are the "nice guys" of the e-bike world. But apparently, even nice guys have a dark side. Heybike has launched a new machine called the Villain, and surprisingly, it has absolutely no interest in helping you pedal up a hill.
Image Credit: Heybike.
Let's get one thing straight immediately: this is not a bicycle. There are no pedals. You cannot pretend to be getting a cardio workout while letting the motor do all the work. Heybike has ditched the "bicycle" pretense entirely for its new "Sports" lineup. This is a light electric dirt bike, plain and simple.
It's a refreshing bit of honesty. I see so many companies trying to skirt the law, slapping a pair of useless pedals on a motorcycle and winking at the DMV. Heybike isn't doing that. They looked at the regulations, shrugged, and said, "Nah, let's just make a dirt bike."
Image Credit: Heybike.
Now, for the numbers, which is the part where I channel my inner nerdy engineer. This little rascal is packing a mid-drive motor that peaks at 4,160 watts. For those of you not versed in electrons, that is a lot for something that only weighs 125 pounds. It cranks out about 140 pound-feet of torque - that's enough "oomph" to surprise you if you aren't paying attention.
The top speed is listed at 45 mph. 45 mph in a car feels like you're standing still. But 45 mph on a 125-pound metal frame while you're bouncing over dirt clods? That feels like lightspeed. It's plenty fast enough to scare yourself, which is, after all, the whole point of dirt biking.
Image Credit: Heybike.
Visually, the Villain looks a bit like those Sur-Ron bikes all the cool kids are riding, but smaller. It's rolling on a 14-inch front wheel and a 12-inch rear wheel. That is shockingly compact. If you are a linebacker for the NFL, you might look like a circus bear riding a tricycle on this thing. But for teenagers, smaller adults, or anyone who just wants something agile to throw around the backyard, it's perfect.
The suspension setup is surprisingly legitimate for the price tag. You've got a hydraulic fork up front with about 6 inches of travel and a nitrogen shock in the back. It's designed to smooth out the bumps, though I wouldn't recommend jumping the Grand Canyon with it.
Image Credit: Heybike.
Let's talk about the battery, because that's the heart of the beast. It's a 52-volt system with a capacity of 1.35 kWh. Heybike claims you can get 50 miles of range out of it. Okay, look. I love optimism. I am an optimistic person. But claiming 50 miles of range on an electric dirt bike from a 1.35 kWh battery is like me claiming I'm going to just eat one potato chip. It's technically possible, but highly unlikely in the real world.
If you are riding this thing the way it's meant to be ridden - throttling it through mud and dirt - you aren't going to see 50 miles. But even if you get half that, it's still a solid afternoon of fun before you have to plug it in for 4 to 6 hours.
Image Credit: Heybike.
Until this point, it was going so well for the Villain… Unfortunately, I have to roll my eyes a little bit because of some interesting accessories. There's a magnetic kill switch, which attaches to you. If you fall off (which you will), it cuts the power so the bike doesn't ghost-ride itself into a tree. That is smart. There is also a reverse assist, which helps you back out of tight spots. Also smart.
But then, they offer an optional Bluetooth speaker that can play wait for it - simulated engine sounds. Oh, honey, no… Why do we do this? The best part about electric bikes is the silence! You can ride through the woods and actually hear the birds chirping before you accidentally run over a pinecone. Why would you want to add a fake "vroom-vroom" noise? It's like drawing a mustache on the Mona Lisa. Just enjoy the futuristic whir, people!
Image Credit: Heybike.
But the Villain redeems itself quickly - I think this thing is going to sell like hotcakes at a breakfast buffet. The MSRP is $1,499. And if you snag the early bird deal, it's $1,399. Do you know how cheap that is in the world of motorsports? I have friends whose purses cost more than this motorcycle. For less than $1,500, you are getting a fully capable, 45 mph electric dirt bike with hydraulic disc brakes and legit suspension. It's a compelling value play that is going to make the competitors sweat.
The Heybike Villain is an interesting move. It's an "accessible" entry point. It's for the 14-year-old who wants to tear up the trails, or the adult who wants a pit bike to goof around on without dealing with gas, oil changes, or carburetors. Just remember: because it's not an "e-bike" with pedals, you cannot ride this in the bicycle lane. Do not be that person terrorizing pedestrians on the sidewalk. This belongs on private land, trails, and dirt tracks. It might be named the Villain, but it looks like a whole lot of good, clean fun to me.
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